Southeast Indiana

Downtown Lawrenceburg

It may come as a surprise, but the Indiana border is just a half-hour drive from the center of downtown Cincinnati. As such, the communities in Indiana’s Dearborn County are as much part of the fabric of the Greater Cincinnati region as any others.

Discover the charms of Aurora, Lawrenceburg, Brookville and Bright among others, whether you’re thinking about living there or hopping on Interstate 275 to visit them from elsewhere in the Cincinnati area.

- Kevin Michell

An Indiana Playground

Hollywood Casino and Hotel

Eastern Dearborn County contains some of the best recreation in Greater Cincinnati. Perfect North Slopes is a ski destination that has been in operation for four decades that also offers snow tubing for ages 4 and up on a 1,200-foot run, as well as summertime events like the Mud-Stash obstacle course and outdoor race.

Closer to the river in Lawrenceburg, you can find short-track racing on the clay of Lawrenceburg Speedway. From April to October, visitors can watch sprint cars, funny cars and other racers fly around this track that has been a part of the town since 1950.

In the heart of town and right on the Ohio River is Hollywood Casino & Hotel, featuring a wide array of entertainment. The large casino area contains the greatest hits of table games, slots and video machines including a 19-table poker room. The resort also offers six different restaurants, major concerts happening at the nearby Lawrenceburg Event Center and a ‘70s and ‘80s-themed dance club on weekends, in addition to the 295-room hotel on site.

Lawrenceburg offers great places to dine and drink, as well. Enjoy a summertime bite at RiverWatch Floating Restaurant and grab something for your sweet tooth at Strong’s Sugar Shack. Or, enjoy year-round bites at Lawrenceburger, Whisky’s and the first Indiana location of Northern Kentucky-founded Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria.

Outside of Lawrenceburg, there’s even more to see and do. The 91-year-old Dearborn Country Club, located in Aurora, offers 18 holes of golf in a picturesque setting. Nature lovers can experience the wetlands protected by the Oxbow Nature Conservancy or hike through the Gladys Russell Wildlife Habitat Trust Area and the Rullman Wildlife Refuge. The little town of Brookville is home to the large Brookville Lake, a perfect spot for swimming, fishing, waterskiing and places to play while camping in the Mounds State Recreation Area. New residents and visitors both will fall in love with the sweet treats and small-town charm of Brookville’s Dairy Cottage. Feeling wild? The nearby Wolf Creek Habitat & Rescue allows visitors to get up close and personal with wolves rescued and cared for by the Baudendistel family.